Poetry Contests for High School Students

Poetry contests empower high school students to express themselves fearlessly. Being a poet requires creativity, openness, and self-reflection; succeeding in highly competitive contests not only requires excellence in the craft, but also determination, resilience, and organization. Students who participate in poetry contests build confidence and strengthen crucial skills that will serve them throughout their lives and careers. Let's discover a few of the poetry contests that you can be a part of.

Find the Right High School Poetry Contest for You

1. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The aim of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is to give young people the tools and mentorship to establish long-term, sustained success. The awards recognize young artists and writers at the regional and national levels. Their poetry category provides an inclusive platform for high school students to submit their original works, with professional recognition and scholarships as prizes. This contest not only acknowledges exceptional talent but also offers opportunities for publication and exhibition of winning entries.

They offer a range of prizes, including cash and tuition scholarships, for the winners. In addition, they administer the National Student Poets Program for grades 10-11. Through this program, five students are selected annually from the regional competitions to act as ambassadors for poetry in their communities.

Deadlines to apply vary by region, but are usually between December and January.

2. The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The prestigious Kenyon Review sponsors this contest, named in honor of Patricia Grodd. The competition accepts submissions from high school sophomores and juniors only, further emphasizing its dedication to identifying and nurturing young writing talent. Winning 1st place, 2nd place, or 3rd place with your submission means a generous cash prize and a chance to attend a summer workshop at the Kenyon Review Young Writers' Program.

Deadline: November 30, 2025

3. The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award

Presented by The Poetry Society, this renowned contest has been empowering and encouraging young poets since 1998. The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is open to all 11-17-year-olds worldwide. It welcomes submissions of original poems in any style or theme. Winning entries receive recognition, mentorship opportunities, poetry books, and a chance to attend a life-changing residential writing course. Joining the ranks of Foyle Young Poets with a winning poem will surely get you closer to having your works published by the Poetry Foundation.

Deadline: July 31, 2025

4. Rooted and Radical

Originating from Chicago, "Rooted and Radical" is the world's largest youth poetry festival and competition. Founded by Kevin Coval and Anna West, this dynamic contest celebrates the voices of young poets from diverse backgrounds. Teams of high school students compete in a thrilling spoken word poetry showdown, showcasing their raw emotions while fostering teamwork and self-expression. Rooted and Radical embodies the mantra "The point is not the points; the point is the poetry."

Deadline: January 15, 2025

5. The Manningham Poetry Competition

Run by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, the Manningham Poetry Competition invites high school students to explore their creativity through words. Entry guidelines and themes may vary each year, challenging poets to adapt and stretch their artistic abilities. The competition aims to encourage emerging voices and celebrates the power of poetry by nurturing a love for language and literature.

Deadline: Mid-November, 2025 (exact date TBA at time of writing)

6. Leonard L. Milberg ‘53 High School Poetry Prize

The Leonard L. Milberg ‘53 High School Poetry Prize is a highly selective, international competition judged by Princeton University's creative writing faculty members. Many past winners have gone on to attend Princeton. The contest is only open to current high school juniors.

Deadline: Mid-November, 2025 (exact date TBA at time of writing)

7. YoungArts

The National YoungArts competition accepts submissions in ten artistic disciplines, including writing. (Poetry and spoken word submissions are both accepted in this category.) Awards range from $250 to $10,000, and award-winners with distinction are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in January. In addition, the YoungArts competition is the official avenue for high school seniors to be nominated as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts!

Deadline: Mid-October, 2025 (exact date TBA at time of writing)

8. Bennington College Young Writers Awards

The Bennington College Young Writers Awards welcomes submissions from students around the world in three categories: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Please note: a teacher or mentor must review and sponsor all submissions to the contest. To read past recipients’ submissions, the winning pieces from the past decade are available for download on the program’s webpage. 

Deadline: November 1, 2025

9. River of Words Contest

A competition that places itself at the intersection of science and the arts, the River of Words Contest centers around connections with places and ecosystems in all senses of the word. According to the program, “We look for art and poetry that shows a real connection to the world around you. For some folks, that means a lot of green and open space; for others, that means a city environment, with different noises, smells, and sights. We're looking for youth to show us what only they see about their world.”

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Local, Regional, & State Poetry Competitions for High School Students

1. CCNY Spring Poetry Festival

The City College of New York’s annual Spring Poetry Festival always includes an all-city public high school poetry contest. In addition to receiving cash prizes, contest winners will be invited to read their poems during the festival. The one-day program also includes readings by CCNY students, faculty, and alumni, as well as guest poets.

Deadline: March 7, 2025

2. United Arts Spoken Word Contest

This brand-new spoken word contest was spearheaded by 2023 Piedmont Poet Laureate Dasan Ahanu. The regional competition will continue to welcome submissions in 2024 from high schoolers throughout the Triangle area in North Carolina.

Applications open Fall 2025

3. Marin Poetry Center High School Poetry Contest

In addition to awarding first, second, and third prizes, this contest will also select 50 poems to be included and published in a youth poetry anthology. All high school students residing in the Bay Area are invited to send one to three poems. According to this year’s judge, successful submissions will demonstrate courage of expression, originality of language, and skill in poetic technique.

Deadline: February 28, 2025

4. Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a tiered spoken word competition. Participating schools hold their own contests, whose winners advance to the district or county competitions. Winners of the state finals get to compete in Washington, D.C,. for national recognition. The regulations and awards can vary by state and region; each individual competition is organized separately. 

Deadlines vary. Check your state’s competition.

Benefits of Participating in Poetry Competitions

Entering a poetry contest is not just about winning prizes — it’s an opportunity to grow as a writer and connect with the literary community. Here are some key benefits:

Recognition and Publication Opportunities

Many of these contests provide winners with publication opportunities, either online or in print, which can help build your portfolio and establish your credibility as a writer.

Mentorship and Networking

Some contests, such as the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, offer mentoring opportunities with established poets, allowing you to develop your craft under the guidance of professionals in the field. Networking with other young writers can also inspire you and open doors for future collaborations.

Scholarships and Career Advancement

Contests like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards offer scholarship opportunities, which can help fund your education. Many contests also provide exposure to university professors and literary agents, potentially leading to further academic or career opportunities.

Building Confidence and Skill Development

Engaging in poetry competitions helps build confidence in your writing abilities, encourages creativity, and hones your skills in poetry composition and performance. Even if you don’t win, the experience of submitting and receiving feedback can be invaluable in improving your craft.

Mastering Poetry with Polygence

Participating in poetry contests can be a transformative experience for high school students. The ten writing competitions explored in this article offer unique platforms where prospective students of poetry can express themselves, gain recognition, and connect with fellow writers. They encourage creativity and criticality, foster a love for language, and provide opportunities for personal growth. Engaging with contests like these not only helps students refine their writing skills but also provides a stepping stone toward a potential career in poetry. Whether you’re drawn to the art of storytelling, want to share your perspective on the world, or simply wish to challenge yourself creatively, these competitions offer an incredible platform to showcase your talents. Remember, poetry is not just about winning but about the joy of self-expression that emerges when celebrating the transformative power of words. 

If you’re looking for more inspiration on creative writing projects, or are hoping to explore other writing competitions for high school students, check out our other articles!

Polygence connects talented high school poets with writing mentors at top institutions throughout the country. Our program mentors, like Kira, work with students to develop their voices as they prepare for poetry contests, college admissions, and most importantly, for rewarding lives and careers as writers. Through our mentorship program, students get ten one-on-one, hour-long sessions to develop their project idea into a finished result that is ready to showcase. In addition to growing as poets, Polygence students build confidence, strengthen their organizational skills, and learn strategies for presenting their work — all with tailored guidance from their personal mentor.

Let Polygence find your mentor for success in contests, college, and beyond.